The Community
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Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Volume 113, Issue 8
$1 Including GST
ALBERTA Open Farm DAYS A farm experience Open House bringing growers and consumers together MOUSH JOHN PHOTO
Kerri Giesbrecht with her son Ryley pose for a picture on Alberta Open Farm Days at the family farm, called Lil Ryley farms, where visitors enjoyed the opportunity to tour the farm, view demonstrations of machinery, and u-pick their own fresh vegetables. The farm is located north of Bawlf. See story Pg 24.
Flagstaff and other municipalities remain concerned about changes to assessment model for oil and gas Editor
The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), an independent association comprising Alberta’s 69 counties and municipal districts, is extremely concerned with changes to the assessment model for oil and gas properties that are currently being considered by the province. RMA President Al Kemmere says, “RMA participated in the assessment model review process by explaining the impacts that the changes being proposed by government, and supported by industry, would have on the ability of municipalities to maintain infrastructure, provide services, and in some cases, remain viable. “Despite RMA’s input, the changes proposed became steadily more detrimental to municipalities as the process continued.” He says that the confidential nature of the consultation process with municipal and industry stakeholders taking part prevented the RMA from sharing the progress with Alberta municipalities. Rural MLAs were also not part of the consultation process, and were informed of the results less than two weeks ago. According to the RMC, all scenarios being considered would have major impacts on rural municipalities.
Under the scenario favoured by industry stakeholders, an average rural municipality would lose 12.4 per cent of their revenues in the first year of implementation, with 11 RMA members losing over 20 per cent. Collectively, rural municipalities would lose over $480 million in 2021 alone under the industry-supported scenario. “The proposed changes prioritize reducing industry costs with little focus on municipal impacts,” Kemmere explained. “Some in industry and government view municipal taxes as a barrier to economic development. In reality, municipalities manage the roads and bridges
“
RMA says, “Based on confidential company data shared with RMA during the consultation, the proposed changes will disproportionately benefit Alberta’s largest oil and gas companies. “Under some scenarios, up to 54 per cent of Alberta’s small oil and gas companies (assessed assets less than $100 million) would actually face an increase in their assessment. In contrast, large international companies would see the greatest cost reductions, with no requirement to reinvest any savings into Alberta. Kemmere stated, “The province has repeatedly emphasized industry competitiveness as the driver for this review, which is clear when looking at how badly municipalities would be impacted. However, RMA is also concerned that any benefits will go to large companies, while many small companies that would reinvest savings locally would face assessment increases.” The RMA says it is also concerned that the province has not considered the impacts that the changes will have on Alberta’s villages, towns, and cities, especially for costs related to education, seniors housing, and policing. The amount each municipality pays is determined in part by the assessed value of the properties within their boundaries. If rural assessment values drop significantly, urban municipalities will see their contri See ASSESSMENT P10
“
Leslie Cholowsky
“This will drastically impact our municipality,
our urbans, and our entire region. This is devastating to us if this model goes through.”
Flagstaff County Ass’t CAO Brent Hoyland
that allow access to resources and provide the services that oil and gas companies and their employees rely on. “This review has not considered how municipalities will be impacted by the changes or the domino effects the changes will have on entire regions.” An RMA independent analysis questions how much the proposed changes will actually enhance the competitiveness of Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
Page 12 - The Community Press, Wednesday, August 19, 2020
August 2020 Meetings
C Council ouncil M Meetings eetings Cancelled M eetings Cancelled Meetings lagstaff C ounty C ouncil M Flagstaff County Council Meetings eetings F a re cconducted onducted the 2nd and 4th are W ednesday of each month Wednesday ccommencing ommencing at 9 a.m a.m.. unless otherwise planned.
Council C ouncil and Committee Committee meeting available agendas are are a vailable at the C ounty ’s website website at: County’s flagstaff.ab.ca/council/meetings-andfl agstafff.a . b.ca/council/meeetings-andminutes minu tes
780-384-4100 1-877-387-4100 Email: St ay C onnected with U Stay Connected Us: s:
Council Highlights Regular Council Meeting of August 12, 2020 Council Highlights briefly identify decisions made by Council. Council encourages its residents, businesses and stakeholders to keep in touch with Council news. Facility Condition and Needs Assessments Council approved the following facility requests: • Galahad School—the County will continue utilizing the building as the Galahad Public Works Shop. • Strome Office/Post Office—the Strome Post Office and Post Office building will be listed for sale “as is”. • Heisler Grader Shed—the Grader shed and parcel of land will be listed for sale “as is”. BREOC Community Demonstration Project Council directed administration to move forward with the “Consumer Intent to Buy Local” proposal to submit an expression of interest to Battle River Economic Opportunities Committee (BREOC) for our Community Demonstration Project. Flagstaff County’s Economic Development Department will work with the Village of Forestburg and the Village of Heisler (the other two Flagstaff Region BREOC partners) to choose the regional economic development function proposal out of the remaining two proposal options. Valley Ski Hill Construction Funding Flagstaff County will not partner with the County of Paintearth to offset a potential shortfall of $85,000 in the event that the Valley Ski Hill is not successful in obtaining the CFEP grant. Flagstaff encourages the Valley Ski Hill to continue to access municipal recreation grant funding through our region’s Agricultural Societies. Forestburg Thermal Treatment Plant—Letter of Support Request Council directed administration to provide G-M Pearson a letter of support regarding the benefit of the overall region to assist in the application process to Alberta Environment and Parks for a permit to operate a thermal treatment plant. Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society Due to the fiscal challenges facing Flagstaff County, Council has agreed to continue with the formation of the Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society (FRESS) if it is agreed that the proposed agreement be amended to give Flagstaff County veto power on the annual budget; and that an affordable plan be developed to demonstrate cost savings to meet the region’s needs and the Flagstaff County portion of the budget will not exceed $450,000. Hamlet of Strome Public Works Shop Council accepted the proposal from Vantage Builders Ltd. in the amount of $269,000 for the replacement of the Hamlet of Strome Public Works Shop, and will have the existing Strome Public Works Shop demolished at an approximate cost of $40,000 and maintain ownership of the parcel of land. Once approved, the full Council Meeting minutes can be found at www.flagstaff.ab.ca under the “Council” tab and in the “Meetings and Minutes” section.
Public Works Updates Monday M onday tto o FFriday riday p.m. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p .m. p.m.) ((Closed Closed Noon - 1 p .m.)
Address: Address:
12435 TTownship ownship p Road 442 P.O. Box 358 ox 358 P.O. B Sedgewick, Sedgewick, AB T0B 4C0
Please refer to www.flagstaff.ab.ca for up-to-date road work happening throughout the County. wishing to purchase gravel must contact the Public Road Construction Road Closures Works Department to obtain a “Permission for The following road will be closed from July 29th, Purchase of Gravel” form. Gravel will not be loaded 2020 until approximately August 20th, 2020 for road out of a pit without this form. Gravel sales will be construction: limited to the following dates in 2020: • Range Road 124, for 1.5 miles from the • August 19th Sedgewick Lake Park Campground to • September 9th and 23rd Township Road 444 • October 7th and 21st
Road Recovery Crews will continue working on the following road recovery project: •
East of Daysland on Range Road 160, north from Highway 13 to Township Road 464 for 10.0 miles
Gravel Gravel is available for sale to a maximum of 150 tonnes/year per residential/farm/acreage site. Gravel is not available for sale to commercial users. Anyone
Flagstaff.ab.ca
Gravel sales are limited to the following gravel pits: Mazure Pit (NE 16-43-09 W4); Skori Pit #2 (N 1/2 09-46-11 W4); Barber Stockpile (NE 17-44-09 W4); and Daysland Stockpile (SE 13-45-17 W4), providing a loader is available at that gravel pit on that particular day. Please contact the Flagstaff County administration office at 780-384-4100 to make arrangements or to obtain information regarding a list of available aggregate products and pricing. Flagstaff County does not haul gravel for ratepayers. Hauling arrangements must be made by the ratepayer.
Please keep in mind that our seasonal crews will be out working on our roadways and to use extreme caution while travelling on these roads while they are being maintained in any way. We thank you in advance for your cooperation during this season.
The Community Press, Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - Page 13